The City of Alexandria reminds all business owners that 2010 Business License Tax Renewal Applications and payments are due March 1, 2010. Payment in full must be received or postmarked by March 1 to avoid late payment penalties and interest.

Please note that the Business License Renewal Application requests specific personal information concerning corporate officers. Under Federal and State tax provisions, localities such as the City are permitted to collect social security numbers for tax administration purposes. The taxing authority is charged with keeping the information confidential. However, in certain situations, taxpayers are free to withhold information about social security numbers if providing it would raise concerns about privacy and data security.

The Finance Department urges Alexandria businesses to submit their renewal applications and pay their business license taxes by mail or online to avoid waiting in line. Please note that the business license renewal application cannot be filed electronically at this time. Applications and payments may be mailed to City of Alexandria Business License, P.O. Box 34850, Alexandria, VA 22334-0850. Visit www.alexandriava.gov/payments to make an online payment using eChecks or a credit card. Payment by eCheck is a free service, but there is a small fee for paying by credit card.

Paying online does not change the filing deadline for your annual business license renewal application, which must be received or postmarked by the due date. Late payment penalties and interest will be assessed on all business license tax accounts for which payment is not received or postmarked by the due date. The late payment penalty is 10 percent of the tax due or $10, whichever is greater. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 10 percent for the first year and five percent for each year thereafter.

Renewal applications were mailed in January. If your company or firm did not receive a business license renewal application, please e-mail businesstax@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3903. Businesses that have ceased doing business or had a change of address and have not previously reported this information should contact Business Tax.